Kuwait FA’s FIFA ban effects Gulf Cup

The hosting of the 23rd Gulf Cup and Kuwait’s hopes of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup have been thrown into doubt after FIFA suspended the nation’s football association because of government interference.

The announcement on Friday has seen Kuwaiti teams and clubs banned from international competition, with the the world governing body’s rules also preventing them from hosting any tournaments.

“The suspension follows the decision of the FIFA Executive Committee during its meeting on 24 and 25 September to give until 15 October 2015 for changes to be made to the sports law of Kuwait,” said a FIFA statement.

“The suspension will be lifted only when the KFA and its members (the clubs) are able to carry out their activities and obligations independently.

“As a result of this decision, no team from Kuwait of any sort can have any international sporting contact and neither the KFA nor any of its members or officials can benefit from any development programme, course or training from FIFA or the AFC.”